Author name: Mike M.

our-top-5-vr-demos-from-steam-next-fest-this-week

Our Top 5 VR Demos from Steam Next Fest This Week

Valve is back at it with Steam Next Fest, the indie showcase that features free demos for upcoming PC games. We picked out some of the most promising demos among the two dozen VR games showcased this week.

Steam has made it marginally less simple to find VR titles this year. In years prior, VR games had their own tab, however you’ll need to apply a ‘VR’ filter to the search box this time around.

Steam Next Fest is already live, taking place June 19th – 26th. Check out our top five favorite games in no particular order below to see what you might want to try first. In any case, you can find all of the participating games with free demos on the Steam Next Fest page.

Hellsweeper VR

Mixed Realms, the studio behind Sairento VR, has cooked up a seriously slick first-person action-combat game called Hellsweeper VR. It’s coming to all major headsets in late September, so this might be your first chance to wield the game’s weapons and elemental magic (or die trying). The roguelike action feels a lot like Light Brigade and DOOM had a melee and magic-wielding hellspawn. Download it here.

DAVIGO

This David vs. Goliath-inspired combat game promises some asymmetrical battle of VR vs. PC gameplay. Created by Davigo Studio, the demo offers up a limited version of the game’s latest alpha build, including two maps and the classic ‘Brawl’ game mode. As a VR player, you can smash. As a PC player, run and gun. It’s fun. ‘Nuff said. Download it here.

STACK

From the makers of STRIDE and AGAINST, Joy Way is set to release another high-flying, single-worded game written in all caps: STACK. The multiplayer VR demo includes both Deathmatch and Team Deathmatch modes for up to 5v5 players. Control discs in mid-flight, bounce them off corners for creative kills, and bust around the arena at high speeds. Download it here.

Retropolis 2: Never Say Goodbye

Retropolis is back, bringing another shot of neo-robo-noir narrative to VR, replete with extendo-arms and intrigue a plenty. If you haven’t played the original Retropolis, no fret. While number two leaves off where the first left off, the brief demo won’t spoil anything. The game is now in Early Access on Quest and Rift, which includes the first episode, Steam users can now jump into a short demo. Download it here.

Tea For God

Full disclosure: the Tea for God demo isn’t new, or running just during Steam Next Fest either, but it’s still too cool to pass up. This VR adventure uses impossible spaces with procedural generation to allow players infinite room-scale movement. It’s a lot more than that though; its entity-filled dreamlike environment also has arcade shooter and roguelite shooter-explorer elements too. Download it here.


You can check out all of the demos over at the Steam Next Fest VR page. There you’ll find Q&A sessions with devs and all of the demos on offer. Next Fest runs until June 26th, so make sure to stop on by to play all of the demos above.

Our Top 5 VR Demos from Steam Next Fest This Week Read More »

new-pay-transparency-regulations-could-help-women-negotiate-better-salaries

New pay transparency regulations could help women negotiate better salaries

New pay transparency regulations could help women negotiate better salaries

Sandra O Connell

Story by

Sandra O Connell

Sandra O’Connell is a freelance business journalist based in Ireland Sandra O’Connell is a freelance business journalist based in Ireland

The EU’s new pay transparency directive won’t close the gender pay gap by itself. But it will help.

After all, if you want to close the gender wage gap you first have to have data. Under the new directive, EU companies will be required to share information about how much they pay men and women for work of equal value and will have to take action if their gender pay gap exceeds 5%.

The new directive includes provisions on compensation for victims of pay discrimination and penalties, including fines, for employers who break the rules.

Equal pay for equal work

Currently, women in the EU earn on average 13% less than their male counterparts. Although the principle of equal pay for equal work has been an EU right since 1958, it hasn’t improved in a decade. In fact, the EU’s pay gap remained the same, or worsened, for just under half of organisations who reported it over the past two years.

Such inequity has lifelong consequences. Unequal pay not only puts women at greater risk of poverty during their working life, it also contributes to the EU’s pension pay gap, which currently stands at 30%.

The new rules make it compulsory for employers to inform job seekers about the starting salary or pay range of advertised positions, whether in the vacancy notice or ahead of the interview.

Employers will also be prevented from asking candidates about their pay history. Making an offer based on pay history only perpetuates the wage gap.

Once in a role, workers will be entitled to ask employers for information about average pay levels (broken down by sex) for categories of employees doing the same work or work of equal value.

Broader problem

However, according to the OECD, the pay gap represents a much broader problem in both society and the labour market. After all, a woman who finds out she’s been underpaid has just three options: do nothing, negotiate higher pay, or initiate a pay claim. Having to identify and raise and rectify the problem is a massive burden to carry.

And while transparency laws may give workers more information, “their effectiveness largely relies on workers having bargaining power to negotiate collectively or individually — and to negotiate without a backlash, which is less likely the case for female workers.”

That’s not good, given that women tend to be less likely than men to negotiate for a higher salary in the first place, “and when they do negotiate they tend to face a backlash or a ‘social penalty,’” the OECD says.

In the UK, equal pay has been a legal requirement for decades and is currently covered by the Equality Act of 2010. The problem is that an employer with an effective pay policy can still have a gender pay gap if, for example, all the senior jobs are held by men and the majority of women are in lower-paid jobs.

This in itself points to the bigger problem.

Women typically have more gaps in their careers for caregiving reasons and are more likely to work part-time too. This means women are more likely to enter lower-paid occupations than men and, over time, when women move into sectors previously dominated by men, salaries fall.

Research also suggests that men engage in salary negotiations more often than women.

Even where pay transparency rules are in place, such as California and New York, there is concern that employers are simply getting around it by providing “salary ranges” so wide as to be practically meaningless.

Similarly, employers can dodge the issue altogether by simply not advertising and using third-party search solutions instead.

If you’ve decided to move somewhere you feel more valued, there are loads of great open roles on the House of Talent Job Board:

Senior Art Producer, Improbable, UK Remote

Improbable is a British metaverse technology company pioneering new ways to connect, play, create and build value across interconnected virtual worlds. It is recruiting a Senior Art Producer responsible for overseeing the entire art production pipeline.

The company is actively working to improve its pay gap, with its most recent gender pay gap report finding that its UK female representation has increased by 3.5 percentage points to 24.8%, and its gender pay gap decreased by 0.76 percentage points to 23%.

Senior Software Engineer (Java) For B2B (All Genders), Zalando, Berlin

Progress matters at Zalando which has made rapid progress on its “Women in Leadership” commitment. Women now occupy 37.5% of leadership positions, toward a target of 40-60% by the end of this year. In 2021, the company reported that the average gender wage gap between women and men with the same job and location at Zalando was less than 1%.

If you’d like to work there, there is an opening for a Senior Software Engineer (Java) For B2B in Berlin. You’ll design technical solutions to extend Zalando fulfilment capabilities to external brands and partners.

iOS Engineer, Depop, London

Depop is the community-powered fashion marketplace to buy and sell circular fashion, with over 30 million registered users in more than 150 countries. The company is hiring a mid-level iOS Engineer on a hybrid basis within its London HQ or Manchester office.

Depop’s 2021 Gender and Ethnicity Pay Gap Report found that the company has a gender split of 47% women and 53% men, and when it comes to pay, the mean gender pay gap is 14.3%, something it’s open about and active in addressing.

For even more inspiration on great jobs in great companies all over Europe visit House of Talent job board today

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One of PC VR’s Best-looking Games is Coming to Quest & PSVR 2 This Week

Hubris (2022), the VR shooter from Cyborn, is arguably among the most visually intense VR games out there. Now the studio is slimming it down the game to fit on PSVR 2 and the Quest platform, and it’s coming this week.

First launched on PC VR headsets in late 2022, Cyborn announced that its sci-fi shooter Hubris is launching on PSVR 2 and Quest 2/Pro on June 22nd.

When the studio first announced for PSVR 2, it said the port would bring along with it “enhanced graphics and gameplay,” including foveated rendering for sharper resolution, haptics and adaptive triggers for swimming and shooting, revamped reloading and aiming, new enemy variations, refined difficulty levels, and 3D audio.

Some of those things, namely shooting mechanics and enemy behavior, weren’t super polished when we reviewed the game on PC VR, putting it squarely in the realm of visually stunning, if not somewhat flawed. Granted, the game has seen a number of updates on PC since then, although this will likely be a first time playing the game for many, and released on the two most-popular VR platforms at the moment.

The studio says a Pico 4 port is also in the works, although we’re due to learn more about that soon.

You can wishlist the game on PSVR 2 here, and on Quest here. In the meantime, check out each platform’s trailer, each of which was captured in-headset.

Hubris: Quest 2 + 3 + Pro

Hubris: PSVR 2

One of PC VR’s Best-looking Games is Coming to Quest & PSVR 2 This Week Read More »

‘toss!’-to-bring-monkey-swinging-platforming-to-quest,-psvr-2-&-pc-vr-this-september

‘TOSS!’ to Bring Monkey-swinging Platforming to Quest, PSVR 2 & PC VR This September

Vertigo Games and VR indie Agera Games announced a new platformer that looks to test your agility, timing, and ability to grab bananas as you swing atop a maze of monkey bars high above the clouds.

Called TOSS!, you propel yourself through a cloudscape jungle-gym playground as you strive to repair your damaged spaceship and make your way back home.

In addition to searching out replacement parts for your ship, you’ll also be able to play with a number of modes, such as racing against the clock in Time Attack mode, collecting every last banana in sight, and honing your swinging expertise by minimizing grabs. The game is said to include 75+ levels spread across nine cloudscape biomes.

While TOSS! is set to be single-player, you’ll be able to challenge friends to asynchronous races, represented with a ghostly trail to follow (or beat).

Developed by Agera Games, TOSS! is being published by VR veteran studio Vertigo Games, which is known for a host of VR games such as After the Fall and the Arizona Sunshine series.

The high-flying platformer is set to launch on Meta Quest, SteamVR, and PSVR 2 on September 7th, 2023.

‘TOSS!’ to Bring Monkey-swinging Platforming to Quest, PSVR 2 & PC VR This September Read More »

microsoft-reaffirms-no-plans-to-compete-against-psvr-2-on-xbox

Microsoft Reaffirms No Plans to Compete Against PSVR 2 on Xbox

Amid mounting pressure from Sony with the recent launch of its PSVR 2 headset for PlayStation 5, Microsoft again affirmed that it’s still waiting for the technology to mature before offering any sort of dedicated VR software or hardware for Xbox.

Xbox’s lack of VR strategy has been a long ongoing story, reaching back to when the company first announced at E3 2016 that its Xbox One X console would “lead the industry into a future in which true 4K gaming and high-fidelity VR are the standard, not an exception.”

As a show of big brand cohesion (pre-Bethesda acquisition), the company announced Fallout 4 VR was supposed to come to the system, however a month later Xbox leadership began waffling about VR support on Xbox One X, which effectively led to the company putting an indefinite kibosh on all things console VR.

And that’s not changed, even in the face of PSVR 2 outperforming the original PSVR in sales in the first six weeks, taking a strong early lead over Sony’s first-gen PlayStation headset introduced in 2016.

Speaking to the Hollywood Reporter late last week, Xbox Game Studio head Matt Booty says VR just isn’t there yet for Xbox.

“I think for us, it’s just a bit of wait until there’s an audience there. We’re very fortunate that we have got these big IPs that have turned into ongoing franchises with big communities,” Booty said. “We have 10 games that have achieved over 10 million players life-to-date, which is a pretty big accomplishment, but that’s the kind of scale that we need to see success for the game and it’s just, it’s not quite there yet with AR, VR.”

In the end, it may actually come down to Xbox’s lagging install base relative to PlayStation. Xbox has reportedly sold over 18 million Xbox Series X/S consoles since launch in November 2020. Sony says it’s sold over 38 million PlayStation 5 consoles since launch, which notably released only two days after Xbox Series X.

Meanwhile, the standalone headset market is moving along at a clip that would suggest the audience is already there, or may be there soon. Meta says it’s sold over 20 million Quest headsets to date as it prepares to launch its $500 follow-up, Quest 3. Only a few days after Quest 3’s June 1st unveiling, Apple announced its $3,500 Vision Pro headset, which if anything, will spur others to take XR more seriously.

Granted, PSVR 2 installs only account for a fraction of that 38 million figure, but if Xbox is hoping to wait for VR games to reach console-level unit sales, it may be handing over yet more revenue to its direct competitor for a while longer.

Microsoft Reaffirms No Plans to Compete Against PSVR 2 on Xbox Read More »

eu’s-ev-battery-ambitions-hang-in-the-balance

EU’s EV battery ambitions hang in the balance

EU’s EV battery ambitions hang in the balance

Ioanna Lykiardopoulou

Story by

Ioanna Lykiardopoulou

Ioanna is a writer at TNW. She covers the full spectrum of the European tech ecosystem, with a particular interest in startups, sustainabili Ioanna is a writer at TNW. She covers the full spectrum of the European tech ecosystem, with a particular interest in startups, sustainability, green tech, AI, and EU policy. With a background in the humanities, she has a soft spot for social impact-enabling technologies.

The EU risks falling short of its ambition to become a global superpower in EV battery production, a report by the European Court of Auditors (ECA) warns.

Although the union’s industrial policy on batteries has been promoted effectively over the past few years, the bloc still faces three major challenges: limited access to raw materials, uncertainty on whether battery production will reach the required levels, as well as insufficient and uncoordinated funding.

According to the ECA, nearly 20% of the new cars registered in the bloc in 2021 had an electric plug. Demand is expected to increase even further with 30m zero- or low-emission vehicles hitting the roads by 2030.

The report finds that the EU’s battery production capacity may increase from 44GWh in 2020 up to 1,200GWh by 2030 — which would deliver up to 16m EVs powered by 75kWh batteries.

However, the projected capacity remains subject to significant risks, such as increases in production costs, delays in plant operation, and the possibility that battery manufacturers will move production to regions with more attractive financial incentives.

But the biggest roadblock is shortage of raw materials, for which the EU relies heavily on a few countries with social, environmental, and geopolitical risks, such as China and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. On average, the bloc imports 78% of the primary raw materials needed for batteries: nickel, cobalt, lithium, manganese, and natural graphite. Its reliance reaches 100% for refined lithium.

At the same time, while multiple EU and national funding streams support new battery research and manufacturing projects, the Commission lacks a process for consolidating investment and, therefore, gaining a clear overview. This creates hurdles in ensuring that support is sufficiently coordinated and targeted.

For the EU to harness the potential of battery development in the clean energy transition and its competitiveness in the EV sector, the ECA stresses that Brussels needs to ramp up its efforts. It recommends securing access to raw materials, strengthening monitoring with up-to-date data, and ensuring that financial support is co-ordinated and equally distributed.

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‘Espire 2’ Mixed Reality Missions Coming as Free Update to Quest, Trailer Here

Espire 2: Stealth Operative (2022), the stealth action game from Digital Lode, is getting a free mixed reality mode for Quest 2, Quest Pro and Quest 3 later this year.

Digital Lode revealed footage of the mixed reality update during the UploadVR Summer Showcase, promising a series of stealth missions that “grow and adapt to the player’s personal playspace.”

“Missions are deliberately focused and optimized for all environments ranging from small areas to multiple rooms,” the studio says. “Play as Tempest, an agent who must pass a series of Mixed Reality Missions to earn their stripes and be cleared to pilot an Espire Frame.”

Each mission is said to offer a variety of objectives, and will also include enemy soldiers, bipedal mechs, electronic threats, and “more that emerge to prevent you from completing your objective.”

Espire 2’s mixed reality mode is slated to arrive for free on Quest headsets sometime later this year.

Meta Quest 3, the company’s next mixed reality standalone, is set to arrive sometime this fall, priced at $500. Besides being thinner and more powerful than Quest 2, Quest 3 promises the same color passthrough function as the company’s $1,000 Quest Pro, which could usher in a new influx of similar mixed reality modes in the coming months.

‘Espire 2’ Mixed Reality Missions Coming as Free Update to Quest, Trailer Here Read More »

‘microsoft-flight-simulator-2024’-announced-amid-no-mention-of-vr-support

‘Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024’ Announced Amid No Mention of VR Support

The next iteration of Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) was announced over the weekend, slated to arrive sometime on Xbox consoles and PC in 2024. While it’s disheartening an announcement promising VR support wasn’t made during its unveiling, the game is under development by Asobo, the very same that developed the VR-supported version released in 2020.

The company says Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is slated to bring the “most sophisticated, immersive and awe-inspiring flight simulator of all time,” powered by what the studio calls a “significantly evolved Asobo Studio engine.”

The studio is well versed in supporting PC VR headsets, as the team added SteamVR support to the PC version of the game in December 2020, or just four months after it was released on traditional monitors.

In a developer livestream in late May, Asobo revealed that its dedicated VR team has been disbanded to work on other aspects of the game. That may sound like bad newshowever it’s possible the studio is currently in ‘all-hands mode’ to develop the new title for its target platforms, which includes day-one availability on Xbox Game Pass, PC Game Pass, Xbox Cloud Gaming, Windows 10/11, and Steam.

Microsoft’s head of Flight Simulator Jörg Neumann revealed during that livestream that somewhere between 10% and 15% of players on the 2020 PC version of MFS play in VR—a fairly consequential number of users. To boot, Neumann and executive producer Martial Bossard say they are among those VR players.

The team says although MFS 2024 is going to be a standalone title, that “virtually all add-ons that work in Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) today will function in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024,” Asobo says in the game’s FAQ. “Add-ons that were purchased from the in-simulator Marketplace will not need to be re-purchased in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.”

So, while we don’t know whether VR support is coming for sure, promising to bring everything from the old to the new game is encouraging. In the meantime, we’ll be keeping our eyes on the game’s official website for updates and news of forthcoming VR support.

‘Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024’ Announced Amid No Mention of VR Support Read More »

hexa-and-amazon-redefine-immersive-retail-experiences-by-empowering-merchants

Hexa and Amazon Redefine Immersive Retail Experiences by Empowering Merchants

Step into the captivating realm of immersive retail, where customers are transported to a world beyond the traditional confines of e-commerce.

Virtual try-ons and mesmerizing augmented reality simulations have long held the attention of shoppers, but the path to these enchanting encounters was often reserved for big brands with substantial resources.

Today, a transformative alliance between 3D visualization platform Hexa and e-commerce powerhouse Amazon is breaking down the barriers of immersive retail. This dynamic collaboration is poised to redefine how merchants engage with their customers, unveiling a future where extraordinary shopping experiences are within reach of all.

Hexa: Shaping the Future of 3D Commerce and Immersive Retail

At the heart of this collaboration lies Hexa, a 3D visualization platform that uses artificial intelligence to create digital twins.

Since 2018, Hexa has been leveraging the potential of AI to breathe life into static 2D images and transform them into mesmerizing 3D renderings. They have been enabling brands to display 3D products, launch AR experiences, set up virtual try-ons, and create immersive marketing campaigns.

With Hexa, brands no longer need to rely on expensive investments in software and equipment to provide immersive retail experiences. They can harness the power of AI through Hexa’s cutting-edge technology to captivate their customers.

By seamlessly bridging the gap between the two-dimensional and three-dimensional domains, Hexa empowers brands to create hyper-realistic digital twins of their products. The sheer realism of Hexa’s CGI technology leaves consumers unable to discern the difference.

Hexa’s commitment to merging the realms of 2D and 3D not only expands possibilities for brands but also redefines the very nature of immersive retail experiences. It is through this collaboration that Hexa and its partners reimagine the boundaries of what is possible, driving the industry forward and transforming the way we perceive and engage with products in the digital space.

The Hexa and Amazon Collaboration: Empowering Merchants in The Era of Immersive Retail

Recognizing the untapped potential of immersive retail experiences in online marketplaces, Hexa has partnered with Amazon to empower merchants like never before. Through this collaboration, selling partners gain access to Hexa’s proprietary immersive OS, enabling them to create and display hyper-realistic 3D images, immersive 360-degree views, virtual try-on capabilities, and AR content directly on their Amazon product pages.

“Working with Amazon has opened up a whole new distribution channel for our partners,” said Gavin Goodvach, Hexa’s Vice President of Partnerships, in a press release shared with ARPost. “Brands now have the ability to distribute 3D experiences and deliver high quantity immersive shopping to Amazon’s global network of customers using Hexa’s proprietary content delivery network.”

Even without prior experience with AR or 3D tech, Amazon sellers can render high-quality images and videos for their product pages. They simply need to upload their products’ Amazon Standard Identification Numbers (ASIN) into the CMS of Hexa.

The system automatically converts the images into high-fidelity 3D models with AR compatibility. They can then use the 3D models for e-commerce and metaverse applications. This remarkable integration of technology bridges the gap between the tangible and the virtual, offering a transformative user experience that drives conversion rates to new heights.

“In addition to 3D reconstruction, further enhancements to Hexa’s 3D tech stack also allow Amazon selling partners to render high-definition marketing materials, including packshots and lifestyle images directly from their 3D digital twins,” said Hexa’s CTO, Jonathan Clark. “They’ll be able to do so by leveraging AWS Thinkbox render infrastructure and advanced capabilities.”

Unveiling the Incredible Potential of Immersive Retail

This collaboration between Hexa and Amazon marks a significant milestone in the evolution of immersive retail. By providing Amazon selling partners with the tools to seamlessly transition from 2D to 3D, the partnership unlocks endless ways brands can engage their customers.

Hexa and Amazon immersive retail AR, try-on, 3D

No longer constrained by financial limitations, merchants of all sizes can now provide unforgettable shopping experiences that rival those of industry giants.

Looking ahead, the future of immersive retail holds incredible potential. As technology continues to advance, we can anticipate even more seamless integrations, heightened realism, and enhanced customer interactions.

Hexa and Amazon have set a precedent for innovation and accessibility in the industry, inspiring other platforms and retailers to follow suit and embrace the transformative power of immersive shopping experiences.

Hexa and Amazon Redefine Immersive Retail Experiences by Empowering Merchants Read More »

8-unmissable-highlights-of-tnw-conference-2023:-day-1

8 unmissable highlights of TNW Conference 2023: Day 1

8 unmissable highlights of TNW Conference 2023: Day 1

Ioanna Lykiardopoulou

Story by

Ioanna Lykiardopoulou

Ioanna is a writer at TNW. She covers the full spectrum of the European tech ecosystem, with a particular interest in startups, sustainabili Ioanna is a writer at TNW. She covers the full spectrum of the European tech ecosystem, with a particular interest in startups, sustainability, green tech, AI, and EU policy. With a background in the humanities, she has a soft spot for social impact-enabling technologies.

Drumroll, please! The moment we’ve been waiting for has finally arrived: TNW Conference 2023 is taking place this week, on June 15 & 16 — and you’re all invited.

This year we’re not only going to discover what’s next in tech, but also reclaim the future and join forces to explore how technology can help us build a more sustainable, equitable, and inclusive world.

TNW Conference 2023
At TNW Conference, technology is the beating heart of what we do.

As usual, we’re bringing together the whole tech ecosystem: from startups and investors, to industry leaders, C-level executives, and policymakers.

Across the two days, attendees will enjoy inspirational talks, pitches, networking events, learning opportunities, and of course, the festival vibes our conference is known for.

TNW Conference 2023
Celebrate tech.

With over 200 speakers, 6,000 companies, 1,500 startups, and 240 investment firms, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed — but we’ve got you covered. To help you find your way through the crammed agenda, we’ve gathered eight highlights of the event’s first day. Stay tuned for what not to miss on day two.

1. The opening ceremony (and opening party)

Kick off your TNW experience bright and early with the opening ceremony at 10: 00. Expect a surprise live performance to set the buzz and get inspired by the insightful words of our CEO and co-founder. Mark Rutte, the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, will also be making a special appearance.

If you happen to be in Amsterdam already on June 14, join our opening party at Reguliersdwarsstraat — one of the most famous streets in Amsterdam, right behind our HQ at the city centre. The fun starts at 17: 00, grab a drink, and enjoy the vibes.

2. Unmissable speakers

We’ve assembled a sensational line-up of keynote speeches, fireside chats, and panel discussions. It’s challenging to pick only a few of the tech luminaries who’ll take the stage, but here are four of our favourites:

Nick Foster, Designer, Futurist, and Former Head of Design at Google X

A trailblazer in the field of design with an impressive background spanning Google, Sony, Nokia, and Dyson, Foster will explore how the intersection of technology, imagination, and design will shape the future of the human experience.

Barbara Belvisi, Founder and CEO at Interstellar Lab

Barbara Belvisi is an entrepreneur passionate about space, hardware, biology and AI. Now a multiple award winner, Belvisi founded Interstellar Lab in 2018 with the mission to preserve life on Earth and expand it in space. To do so, the company has developed AI-powered, environment-controlled modules.

TNW Conference 2023
Our speakers will cover the hottest trends in tech, from AI and deep tech to sustainability.

Dr. Thomas Furness III, Founder and Chairman at Virtual World Reality

The trailblazing inventor, professor, and entrepreneur celebrated as the “grandfather” of virtual reality and augmented reality, will share his awe-inspiring 55-year journey and explore the humanitarian potential of extended reality (XR).

David Heinemeier Hansson, Co-founder and CTO at Basecamp

Heinemeier Hansson is not only the co-founder of Basecamp, but also the visionary creator of Ruby on Rails and the mind behind HEY. At TNW Conference, he’ll share his insights into building successful SaaS startups and offer advice on how to thrive in the competitive tech landscape while creating a lasting impact in the world of software.

3. A game of padel or a yoga session

Take full advantage of our many side events! Whether you’re looking to have fun with your colleagues or take networking to the next level, a game at our EY padel court will do the trick. And if you feel like relaxing for a bit, join a 20-minute yoga session under the disco ball! Make sure to sign up early.

4. The Assembly

It sounds serious and it is. In collaboration with our overlords at the Financial Times, the Assembly will bring together policymakers, government leaders, corporates, and founders to find common ground that balances regulation and innovation. It’s an invitation-only event, so check if you meet the criteria and join us.

5. The startup pitch hour

Get ready for a fiery pitch battle! Across the event’s two days, 12 impact-driven startups from Amsterdam’s tech scene will fight for a dazzling array of prizes, including a pod at TNW Conference 2024, a booth at IFA Next, and a feature article by our beloved editorial team.

6. A stroll through the business floor

Our exhibition floor is the perfect spot for inspiration, connections, and business deals. The 77 exhibitors cover the full spectrum of the tech ecosystem, including global brands, startups, investors, accelerators, and government agencies.

TNW Conference 2023
Connect, network, and get inspired.

7. Top-notch networking events

The entire conference is a networking opportunity, but if you’re looking for something extra join the Corporate Innovators Meetup, IFA Social, or the Startup Genome Leadership Ecosystem Forum — depending on your business needs. And here’s a tip: the Discoball Garden is the perfect spot to make connections.

8. The karaoke cruise

TNW Conference’s first day ends with a blast! At 18: 45, hop on the karaoke cruise from Taets to Amsterdam Central Station and get ready for sailing and singing! If you’re a VIP or speaker, you can also enjoy happy hour drinks from 17: 00 to 18: 30 at the VIP Village.

Bonus tip: the floor map is your best friend

With so many things to see and do, don’t forget to use our floor map to help you smooth your experience and keep track of your activities:

TNW Conference 2023
Make sure to check out our floor plan.

Are you ready for a journey into the heart of tech? Then see you soon in Amsterdam!

If you want to experience the event (and say hi to our editorial team!), we’ve got something special for our loyal readers. Use the promo code READ-TNW-25 and get a 25% discount on your business pass for TNW Conference. See you in Amsterdam!

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ZERO10 to Debut Its First AR Store at Viva Technology in Paris

After the successful showing of its AR try-on technology at the Metaverse Fashion Week, AR fashion company ZERO10 is launching its first prototype AR Store that aims to bring a whole new experience to shopping.

Following previous successful collaborations with fashion brands like Tommy Hilfiger and Coach – which saw the launch of the brand’s AR Mirror and Storefront, respectively – ZERO10 is now debuting the AR Mirror as a standalone store.

AR Storefront ZERO10

“We believe that 50% of physical retail will incorporate AR solutions or will become AR stores itself in the next 10 years,” said CEO of ZERO10 George Yashin. “Customers want to try new types of shopping and augmented reality will elevate the future in-store experience. We see the technology as a powerful tool for retail and we are still at the beginning.”

The prototype AR Store aims to be an immersive solution for retail stores while also addressing the common issues that come with brick-and-mortar establishments. This iteration of the AR Mirror is particularly notable for its ability to deliver a standalone retail experience, in contrast to simply enhancing the experience of shopping in a traditional store.

AR Store for a Full AR Shopping Experience 

ZERO10 has been steadily growing with its AR-to-physical capabilities, befitting a fashion company that seeks to improve everything about the retail experience. Already a thriving hub for forward-thinking fashion designers, the AR Store represents the exciting possibilities of a full augmented reality shopping experience.

With a simple setup (requiring only the AR Mirror, an iPad stand, a statistics screen, and storage space), the prototype AR Store promises to deliver a seamless shopping experience without the need for large floor space. With its minimal requirements for both space and construction, the AR Store will be able to deliver all the functions and operations seen in a traditional store with an average of 100 sq meters, all with just two square meters of total store space.

AR Mirror ZERO10

All of this is possible thanks to ZERO10’s proprietary AR Mirror solution, which can run complex computer vision models and render clothing in 4K resolution. It does all of this in real-time, powered by a supercomputer that boasts the latest in 3D body tracking and multi-class segmentation capabilities.

The Future Of Brick-And-Mortar Stores?

Traditional storefronts may no longer be enough by themselves to entice consumers to shop at their establishments. Many retailers have started embracing the capabilities of augmented reality and other similar technologies to enrich the customer experience and help them stand out compared to their peers.

This phenomenon (tentatively called v-commerce) not only enriches the usual in-store experience but solves many of the issues that brick-and-mortar establishments face. Storage space, floor traffic, and even employee tasks become far easier to manage with the help of AR technology.

While it’s difficult to say that AR solutions like AR Mirrors and ZERO10’s AR Store will render brick-and-mortar establishments obsolete, it’s fair to say that they’re a development in the retail shopping experience that can’t be ignored.

Forward-Facing Fashion at Viva Technology Europe

ZERO10’s AR Store prototype will be interactable for the first time at Viva Technology, Europe’s biggest startup and tech event, taking place June 14- 17, in Paris, France. The prototype will be located in Innovation Park, ALLÉE NORD, Digital Experiences and AI, stand J61-007.

Visitors at Viva Technology will be able to experience the entire customer journey of the AR Store, starting with trying on the digital merch ZERO10 created together with Viva Technology, also available physically with limited stock.

Following the virtual try-on with the AR Mirror, customers will be able to initiate the imitation of a real purchase, where they will be able to select their sizing and receive a free physical analog of their selected item at the reception desk.

With this, ZERO10 hopes to make more people see the possibilities of AR retail experiences and use AR technology to enrich the normal fashion shopping experience.

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apple-vision-pro-debrief-on-the-voices-of-vr-podcast

Apple Vision Pro Debrief on the Voices of VR Podcast

Apple’s announcement of Vision Pro is reverberating throughout the industry. Beyond just a new headset, the company’s entrance into the space introduces new ideas that are now being discussed around the tech-sphere. To dig further into what Apple Vision Pro means for the XR industry more broadly, I spoke with host Kent Bye on the Voices of VR podcast.

Kent Bye has been consistently documenting the XR space since 2014 through his prolific podcast, Voices of VR, which now spans more than 1,200 episodes.

Over the years I’ve had the fortune of joining Bye on the podcast during pivotal moments in the XR industry. With the long-awaited release of Apple Vision Pro, it was once again time for a check-in; you can listen here to episode #1,217 of the Voices of VR podcast.

Beyond my previously published hands-on impressions with the headset, our discussion on the podcast covers some of the broader implications of Apple Vision Pro, including how the company’s ecosystem plays a major role in the value of the headset, whether or not the headset’s ergonomics are aligned with its use-case vision, and the ways in which Apple’s entrance into the space feels like a reboot of the industry at large.

Bye also interviewed several others for their takes and impressions of Apple Vision Pro. You can check out episode #1,216 to hear from Sarah Hill, CEO of Healium, and Raven Zachary, COO of ARound; episode #1,218 with Ian Hamilton, Editor at UploadVR; and episode #1,219 with Scott Stein, Editor at CNET.

Voices of VR is a listener-supported podcast; if you like what you hear, you can support Bye’s work on Patreon.

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